History, Origin, Culture and Tradition of Awgu Local Government Area in Enugu State

 
Awgu serves as one of the local government areas within Enugu State, Nigeria. The administrative center is located in Awgu Town, which also functions as the seat of the Awgu Catholic Diocese—notably, the cathedral there is said to resemble a spaceship when viewed from above using tools like Google Earth. Additionally, Awgu Town hosts the Orientation Training Centre for National Youth Service Corps members assigned to Enugu State, situated on the elevated Crown land within the town.

Geographically, Awgu LGA lies roughly between latitudes 6°00’ and 6°19’ North and longitudes 7°23’ and 7°35’ East, positioning it comfortably within southeastern Nigeria. It shares boundaries with several local governments: to the north are Udi and Nkanu West, to the west lie Oji River and Aninri, while the east borders Ivo LGA of Ebonyi State. To the south, it touches Umunneochi LGA in Abia State.

One remarkable aspect of Awgu is Mgbowo, recognized for producing the highest concentration of university professors in the area—more than 80 distinguished academics hail from this community. Furthermore, Mgbidi has the distinction of being the hometown of Professor Innocent Azubike Umezulike, who served as the longest-tenured Chief Judge in the entire Southeast region and is also Nigeria’s second longest-serving Chief Judge in history.

##Historical Background
The current boundaries of Awgu Local Government Area were carved out of the larger Awgu division, which previously included what are now the separate LGAs of Aninri and Oji River. According to the 2006 census, Awgu LGA had a population totaling approximately 390,681 people, with males numbering about 95,421 and females around 102,713.

Population distribution across the area is uneven. While some zones are densely inhabited, large portions are difficult to settle due to the rugged and mountainous terrain. Most residents prefer settling at the base of the hills, where the soil is more fertile and conducive to agriculture. A geographic study by Mozie Arinze T. of the University of Nigeria found that settlements on the hills tend to be clustered (nearest neighbor index of 0.82), while those in the lowlands are more scattered (index of 1.72).

Awgu LGA consists of multiple towns, including Agbogugu, Isu-Awa, Ituku, Ihe, Owelli, Ogugu, Agbudu, Amoli, Mmaku, Ugbo, Obeagu, Ugwueme, Nkwe, Ezere, Mgbidi (the traditional custodian of Awgu headquarters), Nenwenta, Awgunta, and Mgbowo.

##Geography and Natural Features
Awgu is characterized by prominent hills predominantly on its western side, with relatively flatter lowlands to the east. The hills can reach heights between 350 to 400 meters above sea level, featuring steep slopes averaging about 15°, with the most common slope angle being around 11°. The terrain is primarily composed of shales, sandstones, and escarpments.

Geologically, the Awgu formation consists mainly of bluish-gray, well-layered shales interspersed with calcareous sandstones and shelly limestone. Additionally, coarse to fine-grained sandstone, often cross-bedded with pebble layers, along with bands of siltstone and carbon-rich shale, are prevalent. This formation represents the youngest folded rock sequence in the Igbo land region of southeastern Nigeria.

Water sources in Awgu come mostly from seasonal springs and streams that resemble fingers spreading across the landscape. These water bodies dry up between November and March but flow more abundantly during the rainy months from April to October. Many streams originate atop the hills and cascade downhill, gathering runoff and increasing in speed and volume during heavy rains. Due to sediment and debris carried along the streams, water in the lower reaches often appears muddy and unsuitable for household use, forcing some residents to travel uphill to find cleaner sources.

The area falls within the Guinea Savannah vegetation zone. Plant life varies with the terrain; valleys are densely vegetated, while hilltops are sparsely covered. Grass species such as Andropogon gayanus, Ctenium species, and Hyparrhenia barteri dominate hill slopes, whereas trees like Isoberlina doka and Anona senegalensis are common on plains and valley floors. The vegetation patterns reflect seasonal dryness, soil quality, and human activities like bush burning. In certain rocky hilltop areas, tree colonies thrive due to favorable soil conditions and water retention.

##Economic Activities
Subsistence farming forms the backbone of Awgu’s economy, with locals cultivating crops including cassava, yam, cocoyam, vegetables, maize, oil bean, and breadfruit. Farming techniques such as bush fallowing, mixed cropping, and shifting cultivation are widely practiced. Livestock rearing is also common among some inhabitants.

In addition to agriculture, residents engage in palm wine tapping and quarrying of stones. The Oye Market is the principal trading hub in the LGA, operating every four days. Here, farmers sell their produce in bulk or retail, often exchanging them for goods they cannot produce locally. Traders and buyers from nearby regions such as Nkanu and Enugu’s urban areas frequently visit the market, especially to purchase cassava and vegetables.

##Climate
Awgu experiences a warm climate with temperatures typically ranging from 65°F to 88°F, rarely dipping below 58°F or rising above 91°F. The region has a hot and humid rainy season marked by oppressive weather, followed by a dry season that is hot, muggy, and partly cloudy.